Amanda Summerlin
1989 - The Distance Between Us
A project about time, place, and belonging
Hello JD Class of ’89. I’m working on an art project about us, and I hope you’ll take part. This project is about us and the place we grew up. Back then, I could not wait to leave. I wanted something different, to make art and see the world, and to live somewhere that had less gnats. Now that I'm a little older, I feel differently (not about the gnats though). I've always loved the land, the big skies, and the farm where I was raised. It's still home all these years later. And lately I've been wondering why some people chose to stay, or why others chose to leave.
This project is my way of looking back at our shared history and asking what shaped the paths we each took. I want to tell our stories because I think they're important.
Concept Overview (What I'm doing):
Back in 1989, we were all friends. We grew up together. Now, in 2025, we’re scattered in ways none of us could have predicted back then. But we're still connected by something: the place where we grew up. Hazlehurst. Jeff Davis County. The Class of ’89.
In the summer of 1989, we graduated. There were 146 of us sitting on the football field that day. The goal of this project is to find as many of us as possible and ask everyone:
Why did you leave, or why did you stay?
Your answers will be anonymous and confidential. You can say whatever you want. Already, the responses I’ve received are surprising, eye opening, and powerful. In the final exhibit, your words will appear separately from your portraits, so the stories stand on their own. Eventually, the project will become a book.
If you’re willing to participate, thank you. If you know where a classmate ended up, I’d love to hear from them too. This isn’t just my story. It’s ours.
Aesthetic approach (How I'm doing it):
The portraits are made with natural light to keep things honest and unfiltered. I’m photographing everyone with a large format film camera, the same kind of camera that was common before digital, smart phones, and social media changed everything.
Each person chooses the place where their portrait is made. It could be the home you never left, a spot full of memories, the place where you work, or somewhere that marks a new beginning. Whatever you choose, it reflects the life you’ve built.
Visually, the project focuses on the beauty of real life. Ordinary places often hold the deepest meaning.
Conclusion:
This project is about the choices we’ve made and where they’ve taken us. We live in a time of deep division, but I believe there’s power in preserving the stories of everyday people. In fact, I believe it's important to do it now more than ever.
1989 // The Distance Between Us documents the lives of a group of people once bound by a shared place and time, now scattered by geography, experience, and belief.
These portraits and stories aren’t just about where we ended up. They speak to the pull of leaving, the weight of staying, and the small moments that shaped our lives.
My hope is that this process will give us a chance to reflect, reconnect, and maybe understand each other a little better.
